Improvement in cradles



E. WHITEHEAD.

Cradle.

No. 208,052. Patented Sept. 17,1378.

FIG-l.

U e c Invzrzror vgtzest. Z 'aamwaz v IL'E'TERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAFMER,WASHINGTON, D, C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD WVHITEHEAD, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN CRADLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 208,052, datedSeptember 17, 1878 application filed July 29, 1878.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD IVHITEHEAJ), of Cincinnati, Hamilton county,Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cribs orCradles, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to those cradles or cribs which are adapted torock on supporting stands or bases; and the first part of myimprovements comprises a novel treadle attachment, which attachmentconsists, essentially, of a pedal, connecting-rod, bell-crank, link, andelastic band or thong, all combined and adapted to operate ashereinafter more fully described.

The second part of my invention consists in mounting the rockers onsprings or cushioned supports applied longitudinally of thebasestretcher, which method of applying the cradle to the base allowsthe former to rock with the utmost ease, and also prevents any jar orconcussions, as will appear hereinafter. Furthermore, this constructionpermits the ready removal of the cradle from the base when it is desiredto rock the former on the floor, the rubber band and link having beenpreviously disengaged from the screw or pin to which they are normallyapplied.

In" the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a crib orcradle embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is an enlarged transversesection of the same, the cradle proper being shown in its normalposition. Fig. 3 is a similar section, but showingthe cradle rocked tothe right. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of one of the rockers, taken inthe plane of the supporting-sprin g; and Fig. 5 is another verticalsection, but taken at right angles to said spring.

The supporting base or stand consists, essentially, of two standards, AB, securely united together by a longitudinal stretcher, O, the upperportions of said standards being grooved respectively at a b to receivethe rockers D D, which latter are attached to the crib or cradle body E.Projecting inwardly from rocker D is a ring-eye or screw, or otherconvenient device, F, to which is applied one end of alink, G, the otherend of said link being connected to a bell-crank, H, pivoted at h tostandard B.

Depending from this bell-crank is a connectin g-rod, I, that takes holdof a pedal or treadle,

J, pivoted at j to the aforesaid standard. This treadle may be disposedlongitudinally of the cradle, as seen in Fig. 1, or it may project lateerally from the standard, as represented in Figs. 2 and 3. Projectinginwardly from this standard B is a pin, or screw, or staple, or otherdevice, K, around which and around pin F is passed an endless band orthong, L, of indiarubber or other elastic material; but, if preferred, aspring may be substituted for this thong.

' The above-described treadle attachmentmay be applied to any form ofcrib or cradle or other article of furniture capable of rocking on a supporting stand or base, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3 but in order to enhancethe utility of such cradles, I prefer to couple the body D D E to thestandards A B in the following way: Secured to the under side ofstretcher G, and disposedlongitudinally of the same, are twospring-bars, M M, whose outer or free ends are bent upwardly at N,thence horizontally at O, and finally carried down at P, which portionsN O P of said springs occupy suitable mortises in the stretcher, one ofsaid mortises being shown at o in Fig. 4. If preferred, these mortisesmay be provided with metallic boxes or bushings to prevent wear. Eachrocker D D is notched, as at (I, so as to rest upon the horizontalportions 0 of the springs, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

In constructing my cradle the tension of band L should be such as topreserve the body E in its normal or horizontal position, in whichposition the treadle J is elevated, as seen in Fig. 2. As soon as thetreadle is depressed bell-crank H swings upon its hearing it and rocksthe cradle to the right, as seen in Fig. 3, the elastic band L yieldingreadily to permit such an oscillation of the body. Pressure bein g nowremoved from said treadle, the band L exerts its force and rocks thecradle to the left, thereby elevating said treadle and leaving it in aproper position to be again depressed by the attendants foot. As treadleJ, connection I, bell-crank H, link G, and band L are all coupledtogether, it is evident they must move in unison, and consequently thereis no danger of one of said devices interfering with either of theothers. It is also evident that said devices G, H, I, J, and L performtheir various duties without producing any jar or concussion of thecradle E.

Another great advantage results from mounting the rockers D D upon thespring-bearings O, as said rockers are thereby permitted to oscillatewithin their respective grooves a I), while at the same time saidmembers D D are elastically supported. This elastic support of thecradle enables themembers D D to have the necessary vertical play asthey rock from side to side, and it also prevents any noise or jar atthe termination of each stroke. Furthermore, this construction permitsthe ready removal of the cradle by simply lifting rockers D D out oftheir respective grooves a b after the band L and link Gr have beenunhooked from the screw or pin F. The portions 1? of the springs M M maybe omitted, if desired.

I claim as my invention- 1. In combination with a crib or cradle adaptedto rock on a supporting base or stand, the pins F K, link G, bell-crankH it, connecting-rod I, treadle J j, and elastic band L, substantiallyas herein described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with a crib or cradle adapted to rock on a supportingstand or base, the notched rockers D D d and spring-bars M M, whichlatter are bent at N O, in order that said rockers may be supported uponthe horizontal portions 0 of said bars, substantially as hereindescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

3. The notched rockers D D d of a crib or cradle, in combination withelastic or yielding supports 0, applied to the stand or base of saidcradle in such a manner as to permit the ready removal of cradle E bysimply lifting said rockers out of their respective grooves a b andunhooking the rubber band and link from the screw or pin to which theyare normally attached, substantially as herein described, and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

EDVARD VVHITEHEAD.

Nitnesses JAMES H. LAYMAN, GEO. H. KOLKER.

